Everton enhance top-four chances

Everton moved to within three points of the Champions League qualifying places with a 2-0 win over lowly Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League this afternoon.

Darron Gibson put the Toffees ahead against the run of play, but Everton dominated the second half and Victor Anichebe's 56th-minute goal made sure of the result, which leaves QPR seven points from safety.

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A lively start from Rangers led to a couple of early opportunities, the first of which fell to Junior Hoilett, who bent a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the post.

The recalled Park Ji-Sung provided Loic Remy with a chance to net his sixth Premier League goal in eight starts, but the Frenchman's low drive was foiled by Tim Howard.

Having been on the back foot for much of the first period, Everton snatched a half-time advantage courtesy of Gibson's first goal of the season, which was aided by a huge deflection.

The former Manchester United midfielder collected a loose ball 25 yards out and hit a shot that struck Clint Hill on its way past a wrong-footed Julio Cesar.

There was no sign of a Hoops response after the resumption of play as the hosts peppered Cesar's goal with a succession of attempts.

QPR's Brazilian keeper tipped an Anichebe effort onto the post and then clawed away a Sylvain Distin header destined for the top corner.

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However, Everton were rewarded for their flying start to the second period when Anichebe diverted a Distin knockdown past Cesar from close range.

Rangers manager Harry Redknapp turned to playmaker Adel Taarabt in search of an unlikely comeback, but the deflated visitors could not muster any heroics as they fell deeper into relegation trouble.